Super Monaco GP Genesis/Mega Drive [Review] | Nostalgia Nerd

The Super Monaco Grand Prix. A thing of sublime beauty, speed and skill. So it's rather fitting then, that Sega applied the same detail to their Super Monaco GP arcade cabinet in 1989 and followed it up with a rather fetching Sega Genesis / Mega Drive port in 1990. It was probably the first driving simulation which captured my attention and therefore always pops into my mind at this time of year.
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[@GCeara-mh5it]

Your days are gone!

[@fluffibuni8663]

I actually really enjoyed the Game Gear version ... although it was just as basic as the Master System port, having such a fun and colourful F1 game to play anywhere was a considerable step up from my old Demon Driver electronic game :-)

[@julianobitsgen]

Greetings from Brazil, Nostalgia Nerd. I always watch your channel. Great review. I've gotta say that here in Brazil this game is still considered if not the best, at least one of the best racing games on the 16-bit generation, and certainly the most nostalgic for the majority of 90s kids. At that time, the entire country was cheering for Ayrton Senna, and when this game appeared it was the chance we had to have a great F1 experience, even though it was a little bit on the arcade side. Career mode is so much fun and dynamic. The rival system is awesome, and the chance to upgrade/downgrade to another team according to your performance is also interesting, at least in terms of possible outcomes. Oh, and Koichi Namiki's music is outstanding! It's still one of my favorite Mega Drive games to this day, and I speak for a good number of other brazilian retro-players.

[@ytmhcubed]

I still remember seeing Monaco GPII it on Ação Games nr 16 on the cover and freaking out. Though, funny enough, I didn't appreciate the second game as much back then I did like it had rain and kept most of the good stuff from the first one. Both games are amazing.

[@estradasvirtuais2105]

O Grand Prix da Microprose era esmagadoramente melhor.

[@LuizMGRamos]

Um jogaço. E eu aprendi a desenhar um F1 graças a esse jogo. Usava os modelos da tela de rivais como referência. No colégio o pessoal sempre pedia uma McLaren no caderno rs

[@horroRomantic444]

The easiest stage in this game is France, you could have the worst car (Zeroforce), and still be 1st place using the 7 speed transmission.

[@nevermind824]

I loved this game. One of the best. I had the first version and my friend had the Ayrton senna version, I still prefer the first version.

[@gonzo3915]

You have to go manual, for the speed.

[@swedishbeatballs6109]

Man this game is close to my heart! My dad bought it and We played it together all the time. So much good memories.

[@atomicskull6405]

Just look at the specs on the Sega X-Board hardware, just wow: segaretro.org/Sega_X_Board Incredible for 1987. The Hitachi FD1094 is actually a copy protected clone of the 68000 so in reality it actually had TWO 68000 CPUs one protected and one a normal 68000.

[@Nobunaga1983]

The music is so nostalgia I had this game as a kid I just picked it up and played it last night it’s actually pretty fun and really challenging

[@RMCRetro]

Funnily it's only with hindsight that I've enjoyed the arcade experience that is Monaco GP. I was spoiled by Geoff Crammonds F1GP at the time and scoffed at my console owning friends with my hardcore simulation. Only more recently have I grown to love Monaco GP. Great review as always.

[@Nostalgianerd]

I love Geoff Crammonds GP, but boy, was it slow on standard hardware.

[@RMCRetro]

Nostalgia Nerd sure was, seeing it on a 386 vs my A500 was a nail in my Amigas coffin for sure

[@johndragonman]

what a game is all i am saying. my dad beat the game back in the day while i just messed around on it. i just wish he was still around to watch this review.

[@GarryIrwin]

Bloody great game from back when F1 was a watchable sport. hours upon hours put into this one. The sequel was an improvement, but not enough of one really. I'd argue the season mode in this game has rarely been bettered. nice review

[@FranciscoFJM]

Just play it on The SEGA CD! The soundtrack quality is much, MUCH better

[@SpeedoJoe]

What was the difference between this and Super Monaco GP 2?

[@GuybrushTM]

More tracks save games Senna. Like the pro version

[@DodderingOldMan]

I only ever played the second one, but damn, I loved it. It inspired my love of not only racing games, but F1 as well.

[@CampsitePyro]

5:25 the first game is much better than the second. Better music, sound effects, and better team names.

[@simonp5788]

I played this to death when it came out. Taking the lowest rank team to the top in the season mode was a blast.

[@thomaspleacher2735]

3:11 The game controller on the screen appeals to me for some reason, too. Maybe the aesthetic of it just appeals to 16-bit, early 90's sensibilities.

[@Nostalgianerd]

It's hard to place isn't it?

[@Forgemno]

I remember getting this for my bday. Classic.

[@Housestationlive]

so the only arcade version was the super mocaco 1, witch wasn t featuring senna, and the game doesn t appear to be under f1 license neither.

[@schtive81]

This is one of the first games I owned for the Genesis, honestly, it was one of the best racing games available for any home console at it's release. Yeah, obviously, it didn't look as good as the arcade game, but the 16bit port does have more content and tracks and kept me entertained for months. Also, there was a port on the Sega CD/ Mega CD that was included in a 5-in-1 "classics collection". It is the same game as the Mega Drive/ Genesis version, but it does have enhanced audio and cleaner sound effects.

[@holnrew]

Golden age of F1

[@SteveBenway]

I loved the arcade game... played it loads, back in the day. When it came out on Mega Drive, I snapped it up. I'd say I felt a bit let down by the comparable lack of trackside detail, but still played it to death.

[@Nostalgianerd]

I think they chose the right option by retaining speed over detail. But yes, great game.

[@scottthewaterwarrior]

I did _not_ grow up with this game (got to play a Genesis occasionally, but it was usually just Sonic), but very much still enjoyed it none the less. I mean, it may not look like much graphically compared to today's games, but the game play still holds up. That password system is murder though...

[@WRussellPortfolio]

I had the Game Gear version of this. It was great!

[@schmoab]

I played the arcade cabinet all the time in high school. I still haven't found a driving game as satisfying to play since.

[@arvizturotukorfurogep6235]

My F1 gaming memories lie in the DOS version of Grand Prix Circuit.

[@thebachelordj]

I played this on the Sega Master System. It was on a cartridge with Columns and World Soccer

[@MudSluggerBP]

Bought this game alongside my MD on launch day, bloody loved it and had a faster lap time on the Monaco track than in the scoreboard section of C+VG 👍🏻

[@RobertNES816]

You should play Super Monaco GP on the Game Gear. I think its a better port because the car is easier to control.

[@SeekerLancer]

One of my favorite games on the Genesis.

[@RetroGren]

F1 style arcade racers of the 80s? Obv Pole Position - but my fave is the astonishing TX-1 follow up with it's amazing 3 screens. Still the most incredible 80s racer until the even more incredible Winning Run came along....(Continental Circus also gets some kudos)....

[@McNellyus]

Played this on Mega Games 3, but I used to gravitate to Alien Storm majority of the time. Damn that was a great game. Review it please!

[@Gambit771]

Not so loved these days but I had a lot of fun with AS.

[@todesziege]

Not as good as Golden Axe or Streets of Rage, but a nice twist on the beat 'em up formula.

[@powersteamracing]

True racing games don't get enough love on review shows.

[@iandouglas-gq2nd]

I always remberber pegging off the checked flag marshall at the end of a race then watching the pixelated dude fly to the stratosphere .

[@Richie1245]

Remember this game well. And nice use of my James Hunt "bullshit" video ;)

[@TonySpike]

I loved this game .....untill i got microprose formula 1 grand prix on the amiga

[@rumynchik]

Fucking loved this game as a kid. Played the shit out of it. Was very hard to win the GP mode though

[@itsaPIXELthing]

I played so much this gem! Loved it on the Spectrum and Amiga! Never tried this Mega Drive version! Awesome review, Pete! Thanks for this! Have a great day!

[@Nostalgianerd]

The Amiga version is pretty good. Much better than the Atari ST

[@EdgyNumber1]

No where near a patch on Geoff Crammond's F1 GP...

[@llSuperSnivyll]

Super Monaco GP was *the* first racing game I ever played and, as such, I have very fond memories of it. I would really like a Formula racing game with an arcade style. After Super Monaco GP II and Vroom, I think there have been no more games like that (and no, Formula 1 Race Stars does not count as it deviates too much) and that's a bummer.

[@jannevaatainen]

The sport games were the ones, that really separated 16bit from 8bit. I remember being amazed by this and NHLPA '93, as there was nothing like this on NES. PC had F1GP, but PC's were rare back then.

[@JGreen-le8xx]

I loved the second game. Senna was awesome

[@outtheredude]

Game Gear Super Monaco GP II FTW! Erm, anyone?

[@Williamwerenberg]

The arcade version is so beautiful!

[@TheJamieRamone]

Ah KZbin re-design, we meet again.

[@orderofmagnitude-TPATP]

...that password system ~ i had it on megacd but gutted you couldn't save... oh well. Good times.

[@Femo-ok]

This game is hard as hell.

[@Nostalgianerd]

It is. Until you master it, then it's not. But then, that's the same with every game.

[@pauljohnson7548]

I remember being really disappointed with the graphics because SEGA pulled a bait-and-switch on the back of the box, putting screen shots from the arcade version rather than the Genesis version. (In the US; I don't know about the Mega Drive box art.)

[@Wallyworld30]

Yes, I remember renting (not buying thank god) because the screen shots on the back of the box looked amazing. I was very disappointed with the game. I didn't realize until years later that Sega had inserted the Arcade graphics screen shots on the Genny box art. I would have probably been happy with the graphics had sega not lied to everybody and getting expectations so high.

[@Gambit771]

I loved this game. Even completed it which was impressive for me with a driving game back then.

[@derell618]

I miss hitting the flagman😊

[@lurkerrekrul]

I was pleasantly surprised that the Amiga port of this game was actually pretty decent. Even the C64 version was fairly playable.

[@EdwardL2007]

Great game. Great review. I just picked up a genesis a year or so ago but I don'thave this game yet. I was wondering if you had played or will review any of the grand prix games. I do have Grand Prix 3 for the pc. Looking forward to more videos. Keep up the good work.

[@michaelparker2449]

I never played this game but I'd love to ride an 80s Madonna... And I might play the game too.

[@OldManTheseDays]

I spent hours and hours playing this game back in the early 90s. My brother and I used to compete for lap times.

[@bigmic3785]

fantastic review especially of clips from the arcade version and some highlights from the 1989 season and you didnt come off as an annoying loud lame prick well done i love reviews like this keep up the good work and keep em comming

[@balorduomo]

I remember the AMIGa version have more objects on the side of the track. Unfortunatelly it ran at amuch lower frame rate

[@natgrant1364]

That password looks like it might even be more diabolical than the one for Faery Tale Adventure. I might have to fire that up just to see. lol

[@Nostalgianerd]

Took me longer than playing the actual game.

[@Paul_The_Spaceman]

final lap, now its up to you.

[@LJW1912]

It's good, but I prefer the sequel :P Great video though!

[@Oldskool4Life]

I still prefer Pitstop 2

[@johneymute]

The arcade version even schredders the genesis version away, there is simply no comparision.

[@Gambit771]

No shit. Expensive custom made hardware verses home console. I wonder which one will come out on top. Except you couldn't play the arcade in your home in the 80s unlike the Megadrive version.

[@tomodlin]

I squeel with glee and clap everytime I see my name on the credits.

[@peacexlove]

I had this game as a kid. My Dad and his friend were fans of F1 racing.

[@smittenthekitteninmittens2679]

i remember the master system version being unplayable..

[@catsoften]

It makes you feel like you're in the cockpit of the car.

[@Nostalgianerd]

Is this a sexual reference?

[@LaatiMafia]

@Nostalgia Nerd I have this on my MD, but I rarely play it due to an annoying fact that I accidentally change gears when cornering. Do you have similar issues?

[@julianobitsgen]

I used to have, then I just changed controllers to one with a tighter d-pad, then it never happened again.

[@Nostalgianerd]

That does have a tendency to happen, yes. If you emulate if you can re-allocate the controls which makes things easier.

[@sventobergte845]

"Grand Prix" from Crammond was so much better on the Amiga...yeah with 5 FPS or so...or Vroom as a Arcade racer.

[@yohkom.7988]

I just watched that Grand Prix game, looks like a completely different thing, more simulation with 3D environments. Looks good for what it is but the fixed sterring wheel is lame (must be made like an HUD). Also it's a 1992 game while Super Monaco GP was released in 1989 and ported to the Mega Drive in 1990. btw The Amiga also has a port of Super Monaco GP but it's not as good as the Mega Drive version. Vroom has a Mega Drive port which was simply renamed F1. I played it a bit, fantastic racing game for its time! Puts to shame any SNES counterparts. Vroom was also released on PC later on with updated graphics. But from what I saw only the Mega Drive version has a tilting effect which feels great. I'd say best versions are PC and Mega Drive, then Amiga and ST which seems on par.

[@Woot007]

I love your videoes but at times i have to admit its alittle annoying you mention spectrum ports but not Amiga or C64 ports dont they deserve some screen time ? :(

[@Nostalgianerd]

I could have said "Even the Amiga port had a rear view mirror", but that's not quite as spectacular as the humble Spectrum having that feature, is it?

[@Woot007]

hehe mby not but the c64 version had a rear mirror as well if i remember right :p

[@yangashi]

"Lift your head" lol what?

[@Nostalgianerd]

One of the greatest gaming moments, surely?

[@felipemanoeldasilva4095]

❤❤❤❤👏👏👏

[@HuntersMoon78]

Prefer Vroom on the Atari ST

[@Nostalgianerd]

I should review that.

[@BITPLAKIS]

Love that game! ^^,)

[@iangrunke616]

Well done review, man

[@onlyonewhyphy]

"Its the final lap! Keep it up." - crash

[@Nostalgianerd]

I probably should have mentioned the horrific speech samples.

[@arcticridge]

no need for the slash, it's called MEGADRIVE

[@Gambit771]

At least he included Megadrive considering the amount of PAL region KZbinrs that call it the genesis and claim they had one in the 90s.

[@arcticridge]

genesis pfff im not reading a damn bible

[@natgrant1364]

It's called the "Mega Genesis Drive CD 32 X." Get it right. Pff!

[@UltrawideBenchmarks]

RIP Senna

[@Nostalgianerd]

Have you seen the film "Senna"?... really good, an emotional roller coaster.

[@UltrawideBenchmarks]

Nostalgia Nerd yeag I did .. very emotional. Few days ago I came across the video of his crash .. its even more emotional

[@orderofmagnitude-TPATP]

If i remember rightly super monaco 2 ayrton senna got really bad scores....

[@yohkom.7988]

Not really segaretro.org/Ayrton_Senna%27s_Super_Monaco_GP_II#Mega_Drive_version_2 :D

[@orderofmagnitude-TPATP]

Is that uk?

[@yohkom.7988]

Clic on "expand" next to Sega Retro Average, there are many scores from many magazines including some UK ones :)

[@getxyzzy]

one view per second. 7 views, 7 seconds ago. I used to have this. Sadly, my megadrive is long dead. RIP in peace. Don't even have sonic.

[@hazy33]

Not so Super after all looking back.